The Kindness-Gratitude Connection  

From childhood, most of us are taught to express gratitude in response to a kindness. That’s an act of politeness. But when we can express kindness in response to gratitude – that’s an act that creates ripple effects that extend beyond ourselves.  

Recently I’ve become keenly aware of the circular nature of kindness and gratitude. Let’s explore the connection together. 

Gratitude for Kindness 

Having grown up in Christianity my whole life, I have experienced radical realizations in my faith, but I do not have a radical conversion story. My testimony is marked by a gradual knowing of the Lord. He has revealed his heart to me over many years through churches, family members, mentors, fellow Christians.  

God’s kindness to me becomes apparent as I reflect on my story – ever pursuing, providing, protecting. When we look back with gratitude at what God has brought us through, it’s easier to gaze ahead with confidence and hope that He will continue to be faithful and kind. 

God has also revealed himself to me through trials. In fact, that’s the season where I find myself today. Gratitude in trials can be a difficult practice, and it’s certainly counterintuitive. Probably because it’s harder to see them as “kind”. Trials often produce a myopic outlook in which a person is only able to focus on their own problems.  

But even in hardship, there are reasons to be grateful. During my current trial, I’ve kept a list of kindnesses we’ve received from others. The outpouring was immense and the list long. That list has served as an Ebenezer, reminding me on the lonely, grief-stricken days that God is my help, my comfort, my provider. He is endlessly kind to his people, even in (or maybe especially in) trials.  

Wherever you find yourself today – whether in a season of everyday growth or of overwhelming trial -- take a moment to reflect on all that God has done for you. Write a list of the kindnesses He’s shown you through his Word and his people. These are all reasons to be grateful.  

Kindness for Gratitude 

With that attitude of gratitude in our hearts, we can more easily look outside of ourselves. Focusing on the kindnesses of God and others helps us shift our gaze outward. In the midst of our own lives – in both the miraculously mundane and the horribly hard – gratitude gives us motivation to look for ways to show kindness to others. 

Now, with grateful hearts, we can make another list – a list of kindnesses we may want to do! Here are some ideas to get you started.  

30 Ideas to Show Kindness 

1. Pay for someone’s coffee or lunch in the drive thru behind you.
2. Put together a care package with comforting things (fuzzy socks, tea, journal, candle, treats, miscarriage devotional, meaningful memento) for someone who has recently experienced a miscarriage.
3. Visit a local nursing home and chat with the residents. Bring something special for them. 
4. Make cards for your local police station or fire station.
5. Notice and chat with the grocery checkout or grocery pickup worker.
6. Reach out to a friend and practice active listening. Enter the conversation focused on the other person. Speak with them for their benefit and not for your own. 
7. Write out a prayer for someone who is grieving the loss of another person or pet. Bonus points if you’re able to send it to them recognizing a holiday or a special anniversary. 
8. Bake a treat and drop it off on your neighbor’s doorstep with a kind note. 
9. Shovel your neighbor’s driveway or mow your neighbor’s grass. 
10. Make and drop off a freezer meal for a mother with young children who is “in the trenches.” 
11. Deliver a surprise coffee to a friend from church. 
12. FaceTime your grandparents! They love to hear from you no matter how long the call. 
13. Make flash cards of encouraging verse and attributes of God for someone facing a concerning health diagnosis. 
14. Buy toys, activities, or art supplies for a family in need. 
15. Offer to babysit for an evening for a couple without family in town. 
16. Set out a sports drink for your local garbage man or woman. 
17. Leave some extra time in the parking meter before driving off. 
18. Email or write a former teacher or mentor that made a difference in your life.  
19. Pray for your pastors and tell them! Encourage them by sharing how God is using them in your life. 
20. Check in with a friend and ask how you can be praying for them. Text them in a week to let them know you’ve been praying for them and ask for updates (if appropriate).  
21. Donate items to a crisis pregnancy center. Many places have lists available online of items that they need. 
22. Serve a meal at your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen. 
23. Provide treats for the teachers’ lounge at your neighborhood school. They work so hard and can often feel underappreciated. 
24. Pick up trash around your neighborhood or in a nearby park. 
25. Offer to watch a young mother’s kids for a morning while she runs errands or goes to a doctor’s appointment. 
26. Think of your “enemies.” Pray for them. Ask God to show you a way in which you might bless them. 
27. Leave a treat and encouraging note for your mail carrier. 
28. Plan a tea party for widows at your church.  
29. Go on a prayer walk around your neighborhood. Pray for the individuals and families in each house as you pass by. Ask God to bring them to a saving knowledge of himself! 
30. Volunteer in your church nursery. Loving the children of your church is such a blessing to the parents within your church. 

Choose a few acts of kindness this month, and watch what happens. As we look for opportunities to show kindness, we put action to the gratitude in our hearts – a direct result of the kindnesses shown to us. In turn, the person who receives our kindness will most likely feel gratitude as well. And you never know what kindness that might prompt in their own life. The connection between gratitude and kindness might continue to circle around and ripple outward in ways we’ll never know!  

The world notices the value of “random acts of kindness” and “paying it forward” – and hopefully they notice kindness and gratitude “trending” in believers most of all. After all, each act of kindness points to our gratitude for what God’s done. It’s ultimately a testimony to His kindness. As Hebrews 10:23-24 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” 

Do you have an idea for continuing the kindness-gratitude connection? Share in the comments below.